31.   But Ugandan officials avoided linking the mission to investigation of the Congolese accusations.

32.   Chinese officials painstakingly avoid contact with Patten, while the pro-China press consistently vilifies him.

33.   Chinese officials have avoided any request that India refuse the youth sanctuary.

34.   Clinton and administration officials avoided threatening retaliation, even while insisting the helicopter strayed into North Korean territory because of navigational errors.

35.   EU officials have avoided giving a date for admitting new members.

36.   European Union officials will avoid Orient House, the Palestinian headquarters in east Jerusalem, because of security concerns, the EU Commission said Thursday.

37.   Federal and local laws require states to record hate crimes but many local officials avoid the task, citing a shortage of funds.

38.   Georgian officials initially said the U.S. forces would arrive in March, but for weeks officials have avoided announcing a date for their arrival.

39.   In the start of a Senate inquiry into the fire Friday, Quezon City officials avoided responsibility for the deaths.

40.   Israeli officials avoid interviews on the subject, but claim to be quietly working behind the scenes to win leniency for Pollard.